North Yorkshire is just weeks away from the biggest change to it's governance since 1974, there is the possibility of an elected Mayor in a year's time and now a suggestion that the county should merge with York.
April 1st 2023 is a landmark day for local government in North Yorkshire. The county council along with the district and borough councils will be abolished and replaced with a single body, the new North Yorkshire Council.
But at the same time as work has been progressing to implement the changes there have also been discussions going on about another set of changes, a plan to create an elected Mayor for York and North Yorkshire. The Mayor's office would be in addition to, and separate from, North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council, but would have powers over some policy areas devolved to it from Whitehall.
The plan has been backed by both North Yorkshire County Council and the City of York Council but there are still concerns from some councillors about the governance arrangements.
The plan could see an elected Mayor in place in 2024, they would have power over things like transport and economic regeneration.
Decisions would be made by the Mayor along with two councillors from North Yorkshire and two from York.
Hunmanby Councillor - Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff - says that's not democratic, as North Yorkshire has three times the population of York but would have the same level of representation on the new Combined Mayoral Authority.
Councillor Donohue-Moncrieff suggests there should be a full merger between York and North Yorkshire.
The proposals for the creation of the Combined Mayoral Authority are part of a devolution deal for the region which would see the new body receive funding from central government and inherit some powers from Westminster over policy areas such as transport, regeneration and economic development.
Seamer County Councillor - Heather Philips - is backing the plan and says it brings big benefits to North Yorkshire.
The proposal was put out to public consultation last year and received backing from those who took part, although the response rate was not high.
Last week both North Yorkshire County Council and the City of York Council voted to recommend the proposal to central government. If it is given approval then elections could take place later this year and a Mayor could be in place in April 2024.
- RELATED STORIES : Elected Mayor Plan for North Yorkshire and York Backed by Councillors
- RELATED STORIES : Government to be Asked to Back Elected Mayor Plan for North Yorkshire and York
- RELATED STORIES : Elected Mayor for North Yorkshire and York Won't Mean a Council Merger
- RELATED STORIES : Senior North Yorkshire Councillors Say Elected Mayor Won't "Dilute Democracy"
Road Adoption Delays Costing Eastfield Residents Described As A 'National Scandal'
East Riding Council Urged to Embrace Artificial Intelligence with Ethical Safeguards
Council Thanks Scarborough For Armed Forces Day Support
Closure Order on Bridlington Property Following Antisocial Behaviour and Alleged Drug Dealing
New Women's Support Service Flourish Launches With Centre In Scarborough
Thousands Pack Scarborough Seafront For Town's Biggest Ever Armed Forces Day Air Show
East Riding Volunteers Catch Hundreds Of Speeders In Community Watch Scheme
Scarborough Pupils Celebrated As Health And Climate Champions
Yorkshire Coast Cricket Round Up
Survey Reveals Scarborough Residents Want Greater Say In Local Decisions As Whitby Cliff Lift Is Saved From Decommissioning
Scarborough Presents Biggest Armed Forces Day And Air Show
Naval Warfare Returns to Scarborough For Armed Forces Day
Comments
Add a comment